Local News and Sports

From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Friday, November 22, 1996

LOCAL
Tax Improvements Burden Assessors
Violent Crime Down in County According to Latest Reports
Nearly News
Justice Alma and Her 'Supremes' Highlight of Hall of Fame Event
Loans Available To Producers Who Had Loss
National Home Health Care Month Held
Holiday Spirit Grows With Help of Park Department
P&R Advisory Board Meeting Postponed
Letters Say:
NOC Family Night of Arts Set Saturday
Gary Martin Appointed CMAO Term
Newkirk Program Lauded In Main Street Brochure
City Residents Can Vote Early At Courthouse

DEATHS
Eileen P. White
Delbert Lee Adams Jr.

Services Pending
Frances M.Coppock

Funerals
Dianne Becraft

NEWS BRIEFS

EDUCATION
Osage County Election Board
Opening at NOC
Kildare P.T.O. Holds Bazaar
Frontier Hosts Benefit
Kay County Poster Contest

RELIGION
It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas!
Former Local Minister Honored
Prince of Peace Lutherans Welcome New Families
City-Wide Healing Revival Scheduled
Blackwell Church Going 'On The Air'
Revival Continues at First Pentecostal
Sunset Baptist Choir to Present Musical Special
Webb City Church Presenting Live Nativity

LIFESTYLES
Laura Ann Bates Bride Of James French Scott

SPORTS
NOC Mavs Are Routed
Smith, Branch in Ponca City
Frontier Hangs a Hundred

LOCAL

Tax Improvements Burden Assessors

From Staff and AP Reports
NEWKIRK - A month ago, Tresa Engle predicted the "much-heavier workload" for her office if voters approved State Question 676.
But she campaigned steadily for the question anyway, for the sake of the property owners it would help.
Now, with other county assessors puzzling over how to comply with the new property tax law effective Jan. 1, Ms. Engle merely is retooling her computer system for it, still convinced the benefits outweigh the new burden.
"Ad valorem tax has always been a target of reform," the Kay County assessor explained Thursday.
"This office is accustomed to change," she said.
The new tax law limits increases in property valuations to no more than five percent per year if the property has not been improved, purchased or sold.
Ms. Engle explained, "What it's going to require now is to track every parcel of property for revaluation, because if you need to increase it, you can only increase it five percent a year."
According to the Associated Press, other county assessors are questioning how they will comply with the law when they cannot distinguish who it will impact.
Some assessors are uncertain if the waiver would apply to small jobs, such as a new roof, or even bigger ones, such as a new wing on a home.
Jim Kelley, Pittsburg County assessor, said defining what is an improvement can be difficult.
"If you paint your house or install new carpet, does that constitute enough change for the property to be assessed at full market value?" he asked.
The assessors also are wondering how they will keep up with other provisions of State Question 676, which voters approved Nov. 5.
Most counties assess only one-fourth of the county each year to ease the workloads on their offices. But the new law requires countywide valuations every year.
"It's going to be a nightmare," said Tulsa County Assessor Cheryl Clay.
The assessors are expecting the Oklahoma Legislature to write guidelines on how property will be taxed under the five percent valuation cap.
"We haven't received the nuts and bolts of how to do it yet," Ms. Clay said.
With 220,000 properties to assess, tax protests and appeals, she said her office can handle only one-fourth of the county each year.
Rogers County Assessor Fred Morgan said keeping track of properties yearly will be difficult for his county as well.
"If we miss just a few properties, we could be held out of compliance," he said.
Ken Chuculate, deputy director for the Oklahoma Tax Commission's ad valorem division, said the commission will enforce the law. But he notes that many counties already are having difficulty catching up to current market values because of too little money and too few employees.
Property tax reforms approved in 1989 required all counties to computerize their land and map records by 1993, and many have yet to meet that deadline, he said.
The Legislature still has to fine tune the new law and address other problems, Chuculate said.
Kay County is one of the counties that has converted to computer already, but Ms. Engle said her office will change over to the state's computerized property assessment program next year and she will try to time the changeover when it will make the least impact on office routine.
"It will take a large amount of planning and coordination, and I have to have the staff prepared for the transition," which she expects will be next June, she said.
The changeover signals county government's "increased dependence on computerization - computers can do all the calculations now," Ms. Engle said, adding that such a huge statewide property tax project would have been impossible 10 years ago when current sophisticated computer equipment was unheard of.
"Prior to this, you had to depend on the appraiser's educated opinion," she said.
"One of the reasons I am changing to the state computer program is that it's a cost-saving measure. The state system is free - the program is free, the support is free," she explained.
The measure will avoid a "substantial expense" the county incurs each time the officers call for support for their existing computer network system. The Enid firm that services the present system starts charging the county from the time their consultant leaves his office to drive here until he gets back, the assessor said.
So far, the new property tax project also doesn't involve any extra expenses.
"We'll have to do it within the budget we've been allowed," Ms. Engle said.
The new law brought about by State Question 676 was among three state questions approved by Oklahoma voters to limit property tax increases and give relief to senior citizens with low incomes. The referendums were proposed following the 1995 recommendations of a citizens advisory task force on property taxation.
Assessors said the law that caps valuations of homes owned by those over age 65 who earn $25,000 or less per year will be relatively easy to implement.

Violent Crime Down in County According to Latest Reports

By Laura Treadway
and Mark Galvin
News Staff Writers
Violent crime in Kay County seems to be declining lately, and authorities here believe the high visibility of patrol cars - even the off-duty ones - to be a big reason why.
The over-all trend of so-called Part I offenses - murder, rape, robbery, felonious assault, breaking and entering, larceny and motor vehicle thefts - has declined or remained about the same when comparing 1995's total of 1,342 offenses to the total of 1,114 for the first 10 months of 1996.
However, even though other crimes are keeping law enforcement officials busy, crimes against persons have been relatively quiet for months.
Authorities from both the city and the county point to programs such as the Ponca City Police Department's take-home car program as making a difference.
Ponca City Police Lt. Lewis Thomas said the program provides officers who live within the city limits to take their marked police units home, where the cars will be available to the off-duty officers when emergencies arise.
"The program makes the police presence readily observed in several areas of the community, even when an officer is not on duty," Thomas said.
Police Major Everette Van Hoesen said the program additionally allows up to 40 officers to respond quickly in the event of an emergency.
Van Hoesen noted that a small pool of police units are kept on reserve in the back lot of the police station. Also, units must be available when regular units are in the shop for repairs. Officers who live out of the city limits are ineligible to participate in the take-home program and need a vehicle when they report for duty.
"The program has been very successful and has contributed greatly to the reduction of crime in our city," Van Hoesen reported.
Kay County Undersheriff Sid Cookerly said communities in this county have both the potential for major crime and the reputation to chase it away.
He said not only is Kay County centrally located between the large metropolitan areas of Tulsa, Wichita and Oklahoma City, but that Interstate 35, which bisects the county, is a significant drug traffic and smuggling route, stretching from the Mexican border to northern Minnesota.
However, for certain reasons, the area here is not usually a criminal's first choice, he said.
"Ponca City is a high-profile town, with a reputation of affluence. It has nice homes, a nice downtown, and the potential for a burglar to target it," Cookerly said.
However, the Ponca City police force "has always been known for their number of police cars patrolling," he said.
"One of the first things criminals will do when they arrive in town is to count police cars. But here the patrolmen take their cars home with them, so you really can't tell how many are patrolling.
"It isn't uncommon for Blackwell (police) to have two or three or more cars patrolling at night, or for Tonkawa or Newkirk to have two cars out, and for Ponca City to have eight. And in the county, there are four active deputies out at any time.
"So there are too many other towns (for criminals) to go to instead," the undersheriff said.
The reputation here is for high bail bonds and good prosecution, "and a Kay County jury is known to give out long sentences if they convict," Cookerly said.
Ponca City Crime
Statistically, 1996 has been a quieter year so far for crimes against person in Ponca City, with 42 assaults handled by the police department from Jan. 1 to Nov. 1, compared to 69 total in 1995. However, 1995's total was higher than the total (68) for both 1993 and 1994 combined.
For robberies, a total of 12 were reported in the first 10 months of 1996 compared to 17 total in 1995. In 1994, a total of 15 robberies were handled in Ponca City and six were handled in 1993.
There have been 18 rape cases investigated so far in 1996, compared to 16 total for the Ponca City police in 1995. In 1994, there were 10 rape cases and in 1993, there were 20.
No murders have occurred this year, and 1995's total of four murders was a dramatic increase for Ponca City, since only one other murder occurred (in 1993), according to records compiled for the last four years.
Burglaries and larcenies combined have totaled almost 1,000 so far in 1996, compared to 1,146 for 1995, and motor vehicle thefts were down 50 percent from 90 in 1995 to 43 so far this year.
Other Communities
The Blackwell Police Department had no murders to investigate in 1995 nor in 1994, and the department handled two rapes last year, compared to seven rapes investigated in 1994. They had two robberies last year and one in 1994, and 23 assaults compared to 31 in 1994.
Breaking and entering cases in Blackwell increased from 96 in 1994 to 116 in 1995, larceny increased from 261 to 292, and motor vehicle thefts increased from 21 in 1994 to 26 in 1995.
No murders occurred in Tonkawa in 1995, and police reported no rapes compared to two in 1994, and one robbery last year compared to none in 1994. Assaults decreased from 30 in 1994 to 26 in 1995.
Tonkawa police investigated 26 breaking and entering cases in 1995 and 27 cases in 1994, and 89 larceny cases in 1995 compared to 68 cases in 1994. Motor vehicle thefts increased from eight cases in 1994 to 11 cases in 1995.
Newkirk police have had no murder nor rape cases, and only two robbery cases in the past few years. The two robberies occurred in 1995. The police investigated six assault cases in 1995 and eight cases in 1994.
In Newkirk, breaking and entering cases increased from 20 in 1994 to 33 in 1995, larceny cases increased from 45 in 1994 to 86 in 1995, and three motor vehicle thefts were investigated both years.
County Statistics
Kay County Sheriff Marion Van Hoesen's office reported no murders, rapes or robberies in his jurisdiction during the first six months of 1996. There were 40 assault cases, 53 breaking and entering cases and 69 larceny cases reported to the sheriff for the first half of the year. The office also investigated three motor vehicle thefts.
According to data compiled by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation for 1995, a murder occurred statistically in Oklahoma every 21 hours and 54 minutes, compared to every 38 hours and 45 minutes in 1994. Affecting these figures was the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City.
The OSBI calculated a violent crime occurs every 24.17 minutes and a non-violent crime every 3.25 minutes, statistically. A burglary occurs every 12.5 minutes, a larceny results every five minutes and a motor vehicle theft occurs every 32 minutes.
The bureau reported the highest number of violent crimes in 1995 occurred in August, and the fewest occurred in February.
Under the Oklahoma UCR Statute, all state, county, city and town law enforcement agencies are required to submit crime reports. Agencies report the number of offenses of all complaints of crime received by the department on a monthly basis.
A Uniform Crime Reporting system was established under the direction, control and supervision of the OSBI.
"Crime can no longer be seen as only an enforcement problem," stated OSBI director A. DeWade Langley. "The legislature, victims, law enforcement and the general public must become involved in this struggle."

Nearly News

NN has just learned that Jennifer C. O'Neill, daughter of Dan and Lorraine O'Neill, will be spending her Thanksgiving in New York City and will be taking part in this year's parade there. She is a member of Southwestern Missouri State University's Pride Band which was chosen as the "featured" No. 1 band in this year's Thanksgiving Parade. Ponca City can be proud of Jennifer, NN believes, along with her parents and her grandmother, Marie O'Neill, also of Ponca City. SMSU is located in Springfield, Mo. NN was told the SMSU Band was also the featured band in the 1995 Rose Bowl Parade. Good show, Jennifer!

Justice Alma and Her 'Supremes' Highlight of Hall of Fame Event

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
TULSA - Alma and her "Supremes" stole the spotlight at the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Ceremony Thursday evening. All inductees were impressive but Alma Wilson, the feisty, petite chief justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, was the only one to receive a standing ovation.
Chief Justice Wilson, a 1985 recipient of the Pioneer Woman Award at the Marland Mansion Renaissance Ball, had a large delegation of supporters from coast to coast in the audience of the Oklahoma Heritage Association event at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.
Wilson was the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court by Gov. George Nigh. As the first woman chief justice the press asked how they should address her and her response was "Alma and the Supremes." She recognized other members of the court in the audience.
All inductees had noteworthy presenters and Justice Wilson was no exception. Former OU and present Dallas Cowboy football coach Barry Switzer presented Wilson.
Ponca City connections at the black-tie event included Sen. Don Nickles, a 1994 inductee, who presented G.W. "Bill" Swisher, founder and chairman of CMI Corporation.
Inductee Keith E. Bailey, chairman, president and chief executive officer of The Williams Companies, was a former Conocoan. All four of his children were born in Ponca City. Bailey and his wife moved to Ponca City four times and each time a child was born.
Bailey was presented by Kay A. Orr, former governor of Nebraska. Orr was the first woman Republican governor in American history. She is a member of the board of directors of The Williams Companies.
Other recipients of the Ponca City Pioneer Woman Award in attendance were Oklahoma's former first lady Donna Nigh, Edmond, and Martha Griffith White, Muskogee. Two past recipients of awards at the Marland Mansion Petroleum Hall of Fame in the audience included Jim Barnes of MAPCO and Bill Cleary, Cleary Oil.
Among those attending in honor of Chief Justice Wilson were former Ponca Citians Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Criminal Court of Appeals Charles Johnson and Mrs. Johnson. Probably a number of other folk from Ponca City or with local ties were in the 1,500 audience.
A special appearance was made by 1996 Miss America Shawntel Smith of Oklahoma. She appeared as a goodwill ambassador and was introduced by Gov. Frank Keating. Tulsa Mayor Susan Savage gave the welcome.
The Hall of Fame Induction ceremony is to be telecast over OETA Saturday evening.

Loans Available To Producers Who Had Loss

Farm Service Agency emergency loans may be available to Kay County farmers or ranchers since the county was designated disaster-stricken, effective Oct. 15.
The county is one of five counties in which eligible family farmers now may qualify for emergency loans to recover from physical or production losses or damages caused by drought, high winds, hail, tornado, and flooding conditions that occurred from Jan. 1 through July 9, 1996, and continuing, said FSA state executive director Terry Peach.
The other disaster-designated counties are Garfield, Grant, Major and Noble.
Peach said emergency loan funds can be used to purchase seed, fertilizer, fuel and repairs. Applications will be accepted by FSA until June 16, 1997.
To be eligible, an applicant must have suffered losses as a direct result of the disaster and be unable to get credit from other sources. Loans covering actual losses are at an interest rate of 3.75 percent per annum. The amount of the loan is determined by actual certification of loss less any compensation received, repayment capacity of the borrower, and availability of security.
Farmers or ranchers who believe they qualify can visit the Garfield County FSA office for details, or they can telephone 405-742-1130, Peach said.

National Home Health Care Month Held

In celebration of National Home Health Care Month, Healthcor of Ponca City hosted an open house on Wednesday at 617 East Hartford Avenue. The public and healthcare providers were invited to attend.
Locally operated, Healthcor's staff has grown to include several licensed nurses, home health aides, and a mental health nurse.
"Because we now offer nursing in addition to our extensive medical equipment, supply and oxygen services, we feel we can better serve our patients and their families.," said Kathy Garis, Healthcor provider relations specialist. "Our patients currently utilizing one of our services, may likely benefit from another." Garis said.
Healthcor also offers a variety of other patient support programs including restriatory medication service.
"We accept medicare assignment and the medications are delivered to patients home monthly so they incur no out of pocket expense." she said.
A series of free patient education classes are being planned and a full schedule of all events will be released in the near future, said Garis.
Winners of door prizes at the open house were Mary Ann Crain, Lila Brokaw, Fern McDaniel, Marcy Henderson and Jackie Cochrane.

Holiday Spirit Grows With Help of Park Department

By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
The Holiday Spirit revealed around Ponca City can be attributed to the efforts of the Park and Recreation Department staff.
Thursday a crew decorated the giant Atlas cedar tree located on the front lawn of City Hall. It is the tree's sixth year to participate in the annual lighting ceremony, which is scheduled Nov. 29 at 6 p.m.
Jim Eck, superintendent of the Horticulture Division of the Park and Recreation Department, confirmed the cedar was planted on the grounds of City Hall six years ago. The approximately 25-year-old tree has grown wider every year, he noted.
"Each Christmas Season, the crew must widen the ring surrounding the tree which supports the strands of lights," said Eck.
"During the first years, we learned the cedar is very sensitive to the Christmas lights," Eck commented. "The lights burned the foliage, so three years ago we began using the strands of lights that are currently exhibited.
In addition to decorating the tree, the department arranged the adornments and placed banners as seen on Grand Avenue. Furthermore, crews checked the bulbs of Christmas lights strung at the Cann Gardens, Marland Mansion, Cultural Center, Ponca City Library and the City Hall to ready them for the lighting ceremony, too.
Additionally, the department closed Lake Ponca Park to remove trees and brush in preparation for the Festival of Angels, according to Eck. Park and Recreation worked jointly with the Water and Light Department and the Electric Department to provide a place for the volunteers to plug in the light displays.

P&R Advisory Board Meeting Postponed

The Park and Recreation Department's November Advisory Board meeting will be rescheduled. The board was unable to call the meeting Thursday due to lack of a quorum.
In clarification of the request for a deviance from a Standard Operation Policy, a lake user is asking the board's approval for a contained water system at a private cabin on the west side of Lake Ponca.

Letters Say:

Editor, The News:
Last August the Ponca City News printed a letter by Thomasine Blue Back regarding my termination from the Ponca Tribal Government. I am flattered by the notoriety provided me by the News, and Mrs. Blue Back in that small article. However the circumstances of that termination were not accurately reflected in the article.
Since I can presume fair play on the part of Mrs. Blue Back, the News, and the Ponca Tribal Government I request equal time to clarify matters of that termination as I saw them develop.
The first week in August I filed a grievance with the tribal government on my termination. I was not given an answer until the first week in October although tribal law requires a quicker response. I have been reluctant to air my grievance publicly until those grievance procedures were finalized.
Four tribal members brought a petition that they claimed was. signed by 107 members of the Ponca Tribe. On that day, July 30, the Business Committee terminated me. Chairman Douglas Rhodd personally informed me that the termination was due to the petition.
August 6,1996 I received a written notice of termination and the reason cited was an unapproved job description. Never, either verbally or in writing, was I ever informed what law I had violated, federal, Indian or otherwise.
I requested an audience with the Tribal Business Committee on the matter. In September of 1996 the Business Committee met with me.
I reviewed points of my case with them point by point. They admitted errors on their part, but expressed no willingness to correct those errors. I asked them thrice what laws, rules, or regulations that I had violated. There was no answer. There still is no answer. Committeeman Dwight Buffalo Head insisted more than once that the petition had nothing to do with my termination. Even though confronted with meeting minutes of that July 30 Business Committee Meeting he would not admit otherwise.
On Oct. 2, I finally received a ruling from the Grievance Committee. They informed the Business Committee that I had been improperly, unfairly and wrongly terminated.
Chairman Douglas Rhodd, Personnel Officer Ben Arkeketa, motion sponsor Dwight Buffalo Head of the Ponca Tribal Business Committee have not seen fit to respond to the ruling as of this time.
I have asked the Business Committee about the place of petitions in the tribal personnel system. No answer. Government is all about law. We must know law if we know government. And law treats a person fairly-even if that person might be wrong.
Those are the circumstances of my termination. All tribal members were not involved with the petition. I have tried to determine the Business Committee's policy on petitions. They have no policy. No one can say for sure whether signatures were forged or signed for wrong reasons. This Business Committee has not committed themselves to any policy of protection for employees in this area.
I will agree that I may have given advice that was offensive to 107 maybe so petitioners but for 2300 other tribal members I worked with the previous administration that constructed a million dollars worth of projects, installed a $400,000 sewer proposal sewer project, improved roads, erased several hundred thousand dollars of debt, supported the largest intertribal statue project in the nation and won every legal case we engaged in. This is where I prefer to rest my case.
Maynard Hindman
Ponca Tribal Member

NOC Family Night of Arts Set Saturday

TONKAWA - A family night of fine art, food and festivity for the entire family awaits patrons at the Northern Oklahoma College Performing Arts Center Saturday, according to Audrey Schmidt, gallery director.
From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Eleanor Hays Gallery and Lobby, a gala reception will honor 28 area artists and their families whose work is on exhibit through Dec. 20.
In a visual celebration of the family's role in affecting creativity, "Generations" hallmarks examples or original artistic work in sculpture, painting, photography, pottery, beadwork, needlework, quilting, wood working, stained glass, lapidary, poetry and musical scores. Participant ages range from 18 months to 97 years.
Displays are arranged in family groupings to illustrate how craftsmanship and fine arts interplay throughout the generations. Ponca City artists participating are Anna Adams, Elaine Armstrong, Bob Becker, Bruce Carter, Fonda Downs, Glen Drake, Sandy Gaylord, Tom Godwin, Berenice Johnson, Neo Ann Kirby, Ruth Loucks, Mary Ann McGrew Shirley Peterson, Cindy Rasche, Roger Smith, Guy Warren, Maxine Warren, Jim Watson, Pat Watson, Larry Williamson and Margaret Yates.
Artists from Tonkawa, Perry and Cherokee are also represented.
Following the reception, the Fine Arts Division will present the musical "The Dangerous Christmas of Red Riding Hood" in the NPAC Auditorium. Curtain time is 8 p.m.
Admission to the reception and art exhibit is free. Admission to the play is $5 for adults and $2 for students.
The Eleanor Hays Gallery is open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and prior to scheduled performances in the NPAC. Admission is free.

Gary Martin Appointed CMAO Term

OKLAHOMA CITY - On Gary Martin's third anniversary as Ponca City's city manager, the City Management Association of Oklahoma (CMAO) appointed Martin to its Board of Directors. He will serve a four-year term.
Martin began his city government career in 1973 as superintendent of the Park Department. In 1978, he became Public Works director before assuming his current responsibilities.
Other CMAO members who will also serve on the board include Mary Rupp, Stillwater assistant city manager; Robert Johnston, Frederick city manager; Kevin Evans, Ardmore city manager; Richard Ball, Grove city manager; Wayne Hill, Guymon city manager; Wilt Brown, Hugo city manager, and Ron Wood, Norman city manager.
Founded in 1950, CMAO promotes professional city management and public administration as well as assisting in the improvement of urban administration. Currently, the association maintains 142 members.

Newkirk Program Lauded In Main Street Brochure

NEWKIRK - "Our Main Street program literally saved our lives, saved our buildings, saved our community, gave us the challenge and courage to move forward and make changes. What a treasure we have in our old buildings and community"
That was Ginger Weber's quote in Oklahoma Main Street's new brochure, part of an ongoing campaign to keep Oklahoma towns on the map.
Newkirk Main Street program manager Karen Dye was one of a statewide group of managers who attended training during the Oklahoma Main Street's last quarterly meeting at Lake Murray Lodge near Ardmore, where advisors from a similar Main Street program in Illinois and architects from Oklahoma City met to help the managers fight to save small-town Oklahoma.
Dye quoted the new state brochure that many towns in the state are endangered, and that when a line is drawn from Altus to Miami, every county, save two, north and west of the line have lost significant populations since 1980. The more-than-900 towns that dotted Oklahoma Territory in 1900 have diminished to approximately 600, according to the official 1990 state map.
The Oklahoma Main Street is convinced that, similar to the revitalization of Newkirk's downtown, the program is the key to other towns' rejuvenation.
Dye reported for example that an Ardmore couple completed eight housing units in the upper floor of a commercial building, which the program managers toured. She said all the one-bedroom units had high open ceilings throughout and, although most were only 800 to 900 square feet, the openness and airiness made them appear quite spacious.
During the training, program managers from towns such as Woodward, Shattuck, Hooker, Ada, El Reno, Miami and Perry did presentations on buildings in their communities which have the potential for housing development in their downtowns.
Dye's project was the Park Hotel.

City Residents Can Vote Early At Courthouse

NEWKIRK - Ponca City residents who are registered voters in Kay County and who want to vote by absentee ballot in the Ponca City municipal special election can still receive and cast a ballot by going to the election board office at the courthouse on Dec. 9.
A two-member bipartisan absentee voting board will be on duty from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to assist.
Election board secretary Carol Stafford said in-person absentee voters will complete an application form at the office. Voters are not required to state a reason for voting in-person absentee, but they are required to swear they have not voted via regular mail absentee ballot and that they will not vote at their polling place on election day.
Voters can contact Ms. Stafford's office at 405-362-2130 for more information.

DEATHS

Eileen P. White

Eileen P. White, Ponca City resident, died Thursday morning, Nov. 21, 1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 77.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Denny G. Hook, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Trout Funeral Home. Friends may visit at the funeral home until 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
Eileen P. (Porter) White was born Sept. 15, 1919, in Zwolle La., the daughter of Stedman Hopkins and Emma Nora (Holiday) Porter. She graduated from the Many, La., High School and from Louisiana State Normal Teachers College.
She was married to Albert R. White on April 20, 1946, in Many, La., and the couple moved to Ponca City in 1964. Mrs. White was employed as an accountant at Conoco in 1965. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where she had served as part-time secretary and was active in the Friendship Sunday School Class, Bell Choir, and the Progressive and Asbury groups of United Methodist Women. Mrs. White was also instrumental in organizing the United Methodist Women Afghan project and served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. She enjoyed music and played the piano.
Survivors include two sons, Fred R. of Carrollton, Texas, and Dr. James P. White of Edmond; one sister, Marguerite Barrett of Bartlesville; and six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband on June 15, 1991.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. White's name to the First United Methodist Church, 204 South Sixth Street, Ponca City, OK 74601.
The family will be at 1613 Pecan Road.

Delbert Lee Adams Jr.

Delbert Lee Adams Jr., former Ponca City resident, died Thursday, Nov. 21, 1996, at his home in Arkansas City, Kan. He was 41.
The funeral will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday at the Blessing Heights Church of God Apostolic Faith with Pastor Timothy Smith officiating. Burial will be in the Parker Cemetery in Arkansas City under the direction of Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home. The casket will remain closed at all times.
Delbert Lee Adams Jr. was born May 22, 1955, in Wichita, the son of Delbert Lee and Darlene (Clark) Adams Sr. He moved with the family to California in 1955, where he attended school in Huntington Beach. In 1972, he moved to Arkansas City and graduated from Arkansas City High School in 1973. He then earned an associate arts degree in nursing at Northern Oklahoma College, Tonkawa and attended Saint Anthony Hospital School of Nursing in Oklahoma City from 1979-80, where he received his nursing diploma.
Adams later moved to Hawaii, where he attended the Hawaii Loa College in Kanoehe, part time, from 1984-1987, working toward his BSN. During that time he was employed in area hospitals including assistant director of nursing at Kuakini Medical Center. In the fall of 1995, Adams enrolled at Southwestern College of Winfield to finish his degree, but fell one month short due to illness. He had last worked for the St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center of Ponca City as Trauma and Emergency Room Supervisor.
Adams was a member of Blessing Heights Church of God Apostolic Faith in Arkansas City, where he served as choir director and youth leader. He had also served as minister for the Assembly of God church and enjoyed singing and recording Gospel music.
Survivors include his mother, Darlene Adams; his companion Darren Moleta of Arkansas City; one brother John L. Adams of Newkirk; one sister, Deborah K. Walker of Arkansas City; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and grandparents.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Adams name to the Kansas University Medical Center of Wichita, c/o Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 756, Arkansas City, KS 67005.

Services Pending

Frances M.Coppock
Frances Mae Coppock, longtime Ponca City resident, died Thursday afternoon, Nov. 21, 1996, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 92. Survivors include a son, Roger K. Coppock of Arlington, Heights, Ill. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.

Funerals

Saturday
Dianne Becraft - A remembrance celebration will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Marland Mansion Chapel for Dianne Becraft, who died Nov. 8 in Ponca City. The family requests no live plants or flowers be offered for the remembrance, but memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Becraft's name to the Ponca City Humane Society, P.O. Box 2311, Ponca City, OK 74602.

NEWS BRIEFS

Bond Election Information - An open house meeting to provide information about the upcoming bond election will be held at City Hall, Fire Station No. 1, (Fifth and Grand) and the Ponca City Public Safety Center (200 East Oklahoma) from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

For Children Only - Newkirk has set up a Children's Christmas Shop for Dec. 14, at the American Legion building. Sponsored by Newkirk merchants and the Main Street promotion committee, the one-stop shopping event for students - with all items under $10 each - will provide a wide array of gifts and free gift wrapping to kids who want to wrap their own presents.

Found - A resident in the 2000 block of North Fifth Street found a bike and notified the Ponca City Police Department at 7:48 a.m. Thursday. Animal Control was advised to pick up the bike and take it to the police station.

Vandalism - An employee of the American Legion Children's Home notified the Ponca City Police Department at 9:40 a.m. Thursday that three boys were south of the building and had a pellet gun. The employee confirmed that one window received damage. Two officers responded and located the subjects at the south end of Academy Road. The juveniles were taken to a parents house.

Vandalism - A Ponca City police officer took a report of vandalism to the inside of a residence located in the 300 block of East Walnut Avenue at 10:29 a.m. Thursday.

Accident - A Ponca City police officer took a report of a non-injury accident at North Seventh Street and East Overbrook Avenue at 3:33 p.m. Thursday.

Arrested - A 21-year-old woman was arrested by a Ponca City police officer in the 400 block of North Osage Street at 3:42 p.m. Thursday on a city warrant for failure to pay.

Stolen Checks - An employee of Citgo, 320 West Grand Avenue, advised the Ponca City Police Department at 7:38 p.m. Thursday that a 26-year-old man presented two stolen checks. Extra patrol was requested.

Close Call - A resident in the 600 block of South Fourteenth Street contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 7:40 p.m. Thursday to report his son was shot at on South Fourteenth Street and East South Avenue. The Kay County Sheriff's Office received notice. The deputy who handled the call was unavailable for comment.

Stolen - A Ponca City police officer took a report of two cases of beer stolen from Triple T, West South Avenue and South Waverly Avenue at 11:04 p.m. Thursday.

EDUCATION

Osage County Election Board

PAWHUSKA - Candidates for Board of Education in all Osage County School Districts will file Declarations of Candidacy beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 2.
Renee Weyl, Secretary of the Osage County Election Board, said Declarations of Candidacy will be accepted at the Election Board office on Monday, Dec. 2., Tuesday, Dec. 3., and Wednesday, Dec. 4, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The Osage County Election Board is located at 630 Kihekah, Pawhuska.
The Board of Education positions at stake will be filled at the Annual School Election scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 11, 1997. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the total votes cast in this election, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes will meet in a Runoff Election scheduled for Tuesday, April 1, 1997.
Offices for which Declarations of Candidacy will be accepted include the following: Anderson School C52: Office 1, 3 year term; Avant School C35: Office 3, 3 year term; Barnsdall School I29: Office 2, 5 year term; Bowring School C7: Office 2, 3 year term; Burbank School C20: Office 1, 3 year term and Office 3, 2 year unexpired term; Hominy School I38: Office 2, 5 year term; McCord School C77: Office 1, 3 year term and Office 3, 2 year unexpired term; Osage Hills School C3: Office 1, 3 year term; Pawhuska School I2: Office 2, 5 year term; Shidler School I11: Office 2, 5 year term; Woodland School I90: Office 4, 4 year term and Office 4, 2 year unexpired term.
For further information contact the Osage County Election Board, 630 Kihekah, (PO Box 929) Pawhuska, 74056, (918) 287-3036.

Opening at NOC

"Generations," a visual celebration of the family's role in affecting creativity, opened Nov. 21 in the Eleanor Hays Gallery of the Northern Performing Arts Center, according to Audrey Schmitz, gallery director.
More than 25 artists from north central Oklahoma have each been invited to exhibit one personal work and to ask one or more family members to display with original creations in any media. "Generations" will be hung in family groupings, including statements by the artists.
For more information about the gallery, please call Northern Oklahoma College Performing Arts Center.

Kildare P.T.O. Holds Bazaar

Kildare P.T.O. is sponsoring a country Christmas Bazaar on Nov. 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the school gymnasium. There will be crafts, gift items, collectibles, food booth, cookware, concessions and much more. Do all your Christmas shopping in one place. Plan now to attend. Kildare School is located 1 mile east of the Junction of Hwy 77 and Hwy 11 West. For booth information, call 765-1452.

Frontier Hosts Benefit

The Frontier Middle School is having a benefit handgame Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. in the school cafeteria in Red Rock. They are raising money for the students' Accelerated Reader Store. They would like to invite everyone to attend. There will be lots of fun and fellowship for all ages. Cakewalks, concessions, games and an auction will take place along with the handgame. When the evening's games and activities are over, a meal will be provided for all. Please come to support Frontier School's young readers.

Kay County Poster Contest

School students in the Kay County area are invited to enter the 1997 "Don't Lay That Trash on Oklahoma" poster contest. The contest, which promotes solid waste awareness, is open to all students in kindergarten through twelfth grades.
Local sponsors for the contest are the Ponca City office of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ); and Vicki Graves of American Express Financial Advisors, Inc. Mrs. Graves is providing the prizes for the first, second, and third place winners of the Kay County contest. Contest rules and entry forms are available from the Department of Environmental Quality; and from Vicki Graves at the American Express Financial Advisors office at Boatmen's , 222 East Grand, Ponca City.

Reminder: There will be no classes in Ponca City Nov. 27, 28 and 29 due to Thanksgiving Break.

RELIGION

It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas!

A Christmas trilogy is coming to First Baptist!
The music ministry will offer a three-phased Christmas celebration this year on successive Sunday evenings, beginning Dec. 1 through Dec. 15. Each program will tie together to make Christmas '96 the most Christ-centered ever, according to the Rev. Larry Masters, Minister of Music at First Baptist.
Dec. 1 The Silvertones will present "Night of Miracles", featuring soloist and narration. Dec. 8 "Sing We Now of Christmas" will be presented by The Elementary Choirs featuring "Prime Time Christmas", an entertaining and inspiring musical by the Sonshiners, and on Dec. 15 "The Music of Christmas" will conclude the series, presented by the Adult Choir featuring full orchestra, soloists, narrators, testimonies, and multi-media.

First United Methodist has a Spirit of Christmas Family Fair coming up Sunday, Dec. 1 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
They promise Christmas fun for everyone. The Madrigal singers will be there to welcome everyone into the Christmas season. They plan to have storytellers, dramatic readings, puppets, singing, great food, ornaments to make, crafts, and the beautiful nativity story told by the senior and junior high youth.
Mark your calendars and plan to attend.

Grace Episcopal Women are busy today and tomorrow with their Christmas Bazaar, offering "wonderful treasures" to Ponca City folks in preparation for Christmas giving and decorating.
The event is open this evening until 6 o'clock and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Grace Church Parish Hall, 13th and Grand. The women have been working and planning for this event for the past several months, and will give their proceeds to the Grace Church building fund.

With Poncas City's Festival of Angels scheduled to open Thanksgiving Day, angels will be appearing all over town. Angels are common to all major religions. If you would like to know what the Hebrew Bible and the Christian New Testament have to say about angels, pack a sack lunch, grab a friend and join First Christian folks for the noontime "Angels Sent on Assignment" study.
"Angels Sent on Assignment" is a video Bible study and discussion about the role of angels and how God works in an individual's life. The Rev. Kent Dorsey, senior minister at First Christian , will lead the study on Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 1 p.m. from Dec. 2 through 19. All of Ponca City is invited, especially those who work in the downtown area adjacent to First Christian on the corner of Fifth and Cleveland streets. Drinks will be provided. Easy entry to the Friendly Classroom is available from the Westside parking lot off of Cleveland street and the west sanctuary doors.

Woodlands Christian Church is planning a "Lights of Christmas" evening for Sunday, Dec. 1st, it was announced this week.
Chili and hot dogs will be served by the CYF (free-will offering) at 5:30 p.m. followed by a live drivethrough nativity and all-church choir beginning at 6:30 p.m.
This will be their "gift to the community", Pastor Paul Krueger said, utilizing singers from the very youngest child to the most mature adult in celebrating the birth of Jesus.

Former Local Minister Honored

A former Ponca City minister, an alumni and friend of Oklahoma Christian University, was recognized with eight others for his accomplishments during the Homecoming Assembly at the University Nov. 9. As part of a new recognition program, each of the university's five colleges presented an Outstanding Alumnus award, and other awards recognized outstanding service.
Monte Ginnings, a 1967 alumnus and former minister at Hartford Avenue Church of Christ here, was named Outstanding Alumnus of the Year by the College of Biblical Studies. Ginnings has been a minister since 1967, and has been active in home Bible studies and mission work in India.
"This program gives us an opportunity to recognize some of our outstanding alumni and to say 'thank you' to a few of those who have represented Oklahoma Christian in an exemplary manner," said Kinney Bryant, director of alumni relations.

Prince of Peace Lutherans Welcome New Families

Prince of Peace Lutherans welcome two new families to their congregation - the Mena Family and the Blazek Family. Both families became members this past Sunday, it was announced, and the church family is happy to have them.
The Thanksgiving potluck meal is set for Sunday, Nov. 24 at noon. Please come and join the fellowship and bring a dish of two to share. If it is one of your favorite recipes, bring a copy of the recipe and give it to Helen or JoAnn for the church cookbook.

City-Wide Healing Revival Scheduled

Betty J. Lewis from Hartford, Conn., pastor of Children's Bread Ministry and Exzetta Barnes, pastor of Broken Pieces Ministry in the heart of North Tulsa will be conducting a Healing and Deliverance Revival at Johnson Temple COGIC, 1000 South Twelfth, sponsored by Pastor Floyd Coburn and Pastor Tim Johnson.
These two pastors on assignment have come with a word from God for healing and deliverance. A vision to see the people loosed and set free, to prepare the people to go higher, the pastors said.
Pastors Coburn and Johnson said, "The people have been wounded and scattered, lost, and harassed, we come in the name of Jesus to let you know God loves you and wants to restore you and restore what the devil has stolen from you. Come Friday, Nov. 22, 1996 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 24 at 5 p.m."
Saturday is Save Our Youth Service, it was announced.

Blackwell Church Going 'On The Air'

Tune in to the Blackwell Church of God Seventh Day radio program on KOKB 1580 on your dial from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. each Sunday morning, beginning Dec. 1.

Revival Continues at First Pentecostal

Revival services continue this weekend at First United Pentecostal Church, 1921 East Hartford, according to Pastor Rick Hughes. Services begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with Sunday services at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. The Rev. Kevin Sterling, evangelist from Mississippi will be guest speaker in these Holy Ghost Revival services.
Pastor Hughes invited the public to come "experience their personal Pentecost" and enjoy the special singing, uplifting worship, and dynamic preaching. For more information, please call 767-1482.

Sunset Baptist Choir to Present Musical Special

The Sunset Baptist Church Adult Choir, directed by Monty Wright, will be presenting "Thank You", a musical celebration honoring the hidden heroes of the Kingdom, created by Bill and Gloria Gaither, Sunday morning, Nov. 24, during the Morning Worship service. Everyone is invited to attend. "You will be blessed and challenged by the message contained in this musical", Wright pointed out.
Sunset Baptist is located at the corner of North Ash and Greenwood Ave. Ron Ledbetter is pastor and Wright is Music and Youth Minister. Sunday School begins at 9:30 a.m. followed by Morning Worship at 10:40 a.m.

Webb City Church Presenting Live Nativity

The Webb City Church of God invites the public to come and share in a "Webb City Christmas", portraying a live Nativity. On Dec. 7 and 8 from 6 to 8:30 p.m., there will be guided tours through ten live Nativity scenes such as Mary's Heavenly Visit, Bethlehem's Inn, Wise Men with Camels, A Heavenly Host of Angels and The Celebration of Jesus' Life.
Tours are free to all and run every 10 to 15 minutes. Handicap transportation will be provided, refreshments served and a children's play performed.
The church is located between Shidler and Kaw City off SH11 and between Shidler and Grainola on SH18. For more information call 918-765-2251. Dress warm and comfortable and enjoy a special Webb City Christmas.

LIFESTYLES

Laura Ann Bates Bride Of James French Scott

Memorial Baptist Church in Tulsa was the setting for the recent wedding ceremony uniting Miss Laura Ann Bates of Tulsa and James French Scott of Kailua, Hawaii, formerly of Tonkawa. The Rev. Ron McNamara officiated the double ring vows.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Bates, Tulsa, and the bridegroom is the son of Carol Scott, Houston, Tx., and Jim and Mary Scott of Ponca City, former residents of Tonkawa.
Grandparents of the bridal couple are Mr. and Mrs. Hershel Geddie, Tulsa; Ivan Bates, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; Mr. and Mrs. Glen Veal and Mr. and Mrs. Murray Scott, all of Tonkawa, and the late Theda Scott.
Wedding music prior to the ceremony included light classical love songs and contemporary Christian music performed by Donald Ryan, pianist. Paul Francis and Sherry Trowbridge sang "Faithful Friend" before the vows, and Karen Hackett sang an original wedding song by Monte Horton, who accompanied her on the piano, as the unity candle was lit. "Trumpet Tune" by Jeremiah Clarke was played as the attendants entered, and the traditional processional by Mendelssohn and processional by Wagner were played.
The chancel was decorated with baskets of Laura lilies and pink and white carnations entwined with green fern. Two nine-branch candelabrum decorated with magnolia blossoms centered the unity candle, lit by two tapers representing the bridal couple's families. The pair faced the congregation as they repeated their vows, and after the ceremony, gave their parents long-stemmed roses from the bridal bouquet.
Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a floor-length gown in magnolia raw bridal silk. The bodice was encrusted with seed pearls and iridescents. A chapel-length train was formed by the full skirt which featured a peplum waist with a rose self-bow. The v-necked back was accented with covered buttons. She wore an Hawaiian garter, a gift from the groom, and a pearl and lace garter her mother had worn at her wedding. The three-tiered veil of bridal illusion was highlighted by a tiara adorned with seed pearls, sequins and tiny roses. The bride carried a large circular bouquet of white roses and fern, centered with a white orchid.
Kim Lee, maid of honor, wore a tea-length, Princess styled, v-necked gown in hunter green satin with contrasting green bow. She carried a long-stemmed white rose and wore a pearl necklace and earring set, gifts from the couple.
Bridesmaids were Marianne Rence, Twenty-Nine Palms, Calif., formerly of Tonkawa; Jackie Quarles, Hanoi, Vietnam, and Heather Toedt, Tulsa. They were dressed identically to the honor attendant. Junior bridesmaids were sisters of the bridal couple, Susan Bates of Tulsa and Suzanne Scott of Stillwater. They were attired in burgundy satin tea length gowns styled identically to the bridesmaid dresses.
Brittany McClain, flower girl, wore a burgundy dress and carried a basket of pink and white roses and carnations. She was escorted by the tuxedo-clad ring bearer, Andrew Hackett, who carried a white satin heart shaped pillow.
Serving as best man was Paul Franci of Kansas City, Mo. Groomsmen were Kevin Jones, Tom Yeager and Jeff Lee, all of Tulsa. Ushers were Archie Tang, Chicago, Ill., and Sam Dodson, Stillwater, formerly of Tonkawa, stepbrother of the bridegroom. The men in the bridal party wore black tuxedos with the bridegroom wearing a white vest and tie and the others with gold and black paisley vests and matching bow ties.
Following the recessional, the couple received guests row by row in the sanctuary. The chairs in the fellowship hall were decorated with teal, burgundy and pearl balloons for the reception. The three-tiered bride's cake of white and Italian cream layers was iced in white with burgundy and hunter green rose decor and topped with a heart, two satin bells and silver roses. The bridegroom's chocolate cake was decorated as a cellular phone. Assisting with the reception were Piper Crater, Natalie Whitehurst, Ashley Penbrook, Marleen Gibbons, Jackie Quarles, Robin Lewis, DeeDee and Steve Geddie. The guest book was attended by Ms. Crater and Ms. Gibbons.
Following a three week trip to various sites in New Zealand and Australia, the couple is residing in Kailua, Hawaii. The bridegroom is employed by WorldCom (formerly WilTel) in Honolulu.
A catered rehearsal dinner was held at the fellowship hall of the Memorial Baptist Church, Tulsa, . Tables were accented with mauve candles and floral accents. Hosting the event for their son and his fiancee were Carol Scott and Jim and Mary Scott.

SPORTS

NOC Mavs Are Routed
WEST PLAINS, Mo. - Northern Oklahoma's youthful Mavericks got a taste of rugged play here Thursday in the Southwest Missouri State Classic, losing to West Plains Missouri 101-66.
After opening the season with four straight wins, the Mavericks have now dropped two in a row and stand 4-2 on the season.
NOC head coach Mick Weiberg said the record could get worse before it gets better.
"I've said all along we could be 4-4 coming off this tournament and that's a real possibility," said Weiberg. "There is very good talent here. We knew it would be physical and would help us grow. We play Three Rivers this evening and they could be the next national champion. They beat Coffeyville last night in a close game. And then we finish up against Coffeyville, which is also a very talented ballclub."
West Plains jumped on top of Northern 45-28 at the half and outscored the Mavs 56-38 in the second half to record the 35-point win.
Mark Passley was the only player in double figures for NOC with 15 points. Twelve other Mavericks scored, including Kyle Dean with 9, Richard Whitfield 8, Cory Campbell 6 and Chris Beech 5.

Smith, Branch in Ponca City
OSU Wrestlers Poised for Run
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
After years of struggle to overcome probation, Oklahoma State's wrestlers are in a position to make a run at the national title again, according to coach John Smith.
"We finally have the experience and some depth," the coach of the No. 2 ranked Cowboys said prior to a meeting with the Ponca City area Posse Club Thursday at the Marland Mansion.
OSU returns seven starters off last year's team that went 15-3-1 in duals, won the Big Eight championship and placed sixth in the NCAA Tournament.
That list includes five sophomores who started as freshmen.
But it also includes three-time All-American Mark Branch of Newkirk at 167 pounds, two-time All-American Scott Reyna at 142, All-American and Big 8 Champion Steven Schmidt at 134 and All-American Eric Guerrero at 126.
"Our leadership is strong this year," Smith said, "and we have the people to follow."
But the Cowboys face some tough opposition in their quest for the first Big 12 crown and another national title.
"Iowa (defending champion and ranked No. 1) is ahead of everyone else right now," Smith said. "After that there are five or six teams that are about equal."
The Cowboys will need good performances from their young starters. They include sophomore Teague Moore at 118 pounds. Redshirt sophomore Jimmy Arias at 150, redshirt junior Hardell Moore at 158, redshirt sophomore Mark Smith at 177, redshirt senior Aaron Strobel at 190 and redshirt junior Ben Lee at heavyweight.
The Cowboys have already displayed some depth, getting winning performances from redshirt sophomore Jason Allen at 134 and redshirt freshman Aaron Cudworth at heavyweight in winning their first two duals of the season, at Tennessee-Chattanooga and Georgia State.
Adding experienced depth is 177-pound redshirt junior Craig Barngrover.
The list of redshirt freshmen depth is impressive. It includes Shawn Ange at 177-190, Matt Cline at 142-150, Josh Hendricks at heavyweight, Josh Hughes at heavyweight, Jeff Ragan at 118-126, Shawn Smith at 134 and Ryan Stites at 118.
Newcomers in the wrestling room include Josh Cruzan at 177, Meville Hedges at 177, Tim Moore at 190, Mark Munoz at 190, Todd Munson at 167, Pat Popolizio at 177, Charles Walker at 142, Curtis West at 142, Steve Williams at 118 and Troy Williams at 126-134.
Smith has already added to that number, getting early signings from Ty Wilcox of Fountain Valley, Calif. and Brien Burrows of Jeannette, Pa.
Wilcox is projected as a 158-pounder and Burrow at 142-150.
"Those are two real good high school wrestlers," Smith said, adding he hopes to add some more recruits in the spring.
The light November-December schedule has OSU back in action Saturday in the St. Louis Open.
The Cowboys have only one home dual match in December, which may be a blessing in disguise, Smith said.
"That means that during the home stretch, we will be at home," the coach said. "Of course, not being at home early is a negative for our fans and for attendance, but scheduling this time of the year has been a beast. Everyone had different dead weeks and test weeks."

Frontier Hangs a Hundred
RED ROCK - Frontier's Mustangs hit the century mark for the first time this season in smashing Deer Creek-Lamont 100-30 here Thursday night.
The Lady Mustangs hit half-a-hundred in topping the Lady Eagles, 54-17.
Sixteen Frontier players reached the scorebook in the boys game, led by Zac Clouse with 15 points, Josh Regnier with 13 and Nolan Grant with 11.
J.W. Buxton added 9 points, Ron Bible 8, John Burk and Justin Petty 7 each, Robert and Jeremiah Regnier each had 5, Martin Sanders 4, Boydd Romero, Jeremy Petty, Brad Moore, Jacob Burk and Charles Sanders all had 2 each.
The Mustangs, now 5-0, bolted to a 30-4 first quarter lead and led 62-12 at halftime.
It took the Frontier girls just slightly longer to turn back the Lady Eagles as they exploded for 24 second-quarter points and built a 33-4 lead at the intermission .
Stephanie Romero paced the Lady Mustangs with 14 points while Denise Jake had 11.
Carolee Bible had 7 points, April Vap 5, Mindy Williams 4, Elizabeth Sober and Jennifer Miller 3 each, Shanna King, Dana Norman and Kaley Dunham 2 each and Sara Jake 1.